Conference Report on H.R. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (NDAA).

I did not vote for the Republican majority's version of the NDAA that passed the House in July. That bill was loaded with extreme and partisan social policy riders that had no place in legislation that supports our national security and the service members who defend it. That is why I'm encouraged by the bipartisan negotiations that produced a much more balanced compromise bill. While there are still some provisions I do not agree with, nearly all the worst policy ideas from the Republican majority have been removed. Excluded from the agreement are the harmful provisions that would deny reproductive health care access to our service members and their families and attack the rights of LGBTQ+ service members.

I do disagree with some remaining provisions that I believe will continue discourage building a diverse military, and ones that would inhibit the Administration's ability to improve military resilience and readiness in the face of ongoing climate change challenges. For example, this legislation maintains a provision banning Critical Race Theory in our military education system. The definition is narrower than originally proposed, but I remain concerned with how Critical Race Theory is defined and that this provision could be used to limit how certain eras of American history are taught. This NDAA also institutes a salary cap and hiring freeze on the Defense Department's Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, pursuant to completion of a department audit. I think this is unnecessary and should have been removed.

As Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I am intimately familiar with the range threats to our nation and to our partners and allies around the world. That is why I will continue to fight against the same outrageous and extreme social policy provisions included by Republicans in this year's Defense Appropriations Act that would result in deterring the American public from raising their hand to serve.

This legislation temporarily extends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) 702 authorization. I am supportive of reforms to Section 702 to ensure that the civil liberties of American citizens are protected, and Congress must consider the merits of bills on FISA reform that are moving through the House and the Senate right now. However, the national security risks associated with allowing this authorization to lapse entirely in a manner of weeks with no replacement are too grave. It is important that we allow more time for Congress to understand the sensitive details surrounding this program, continue constructive debate, and find a compromise solution that finds a prudent balance that respects individual liberty and protects national security.

I am strongly supportive of this NDAA's ironclad commitment to our allies and partners at a time when geopolitical events increasingly test America's resolve and unity. This legislation includes robust resourcing toward the European and Pacific Deterrence Initiatives, an extension of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, and a provision that places limits on the President's ability to withdraw the U,S. from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization pursuant to Congressional approval. These are all important parts of maintaining America's security commitments to our fellow democracies in Europe and in Asia. Of particular significance to our Pacific deterrence efforts, this legislation elevates our commitment to AUKUS, our tri-lateral Pacific partnership with Australia and the U.K. Provisions that empower our Defense and State Departments to streamline resource and information sharing between these critical allies and measures that strengthen our collective defense industrial capacity all embrace the recognition that we are stronger together in these endeavors than alone.

Also notable is how this bill takes care of our service members and their families. This NDAA continues our commitment to invest in our most important resource in our nation's defense arsenal--our people. The compromise supports the administration's proposed 5.2% pay raise for service members, strengthens the civilian workforce, and supports military spouses and families with additional authorized investments in housing, childcare, career opportunities, health care, and other quality of life needs.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not perfect and there are provisions in it that I disagree with. But no compromise is perfect. This legislation is significantly improved from the Republican bill that passed this body in July, which would have been a disaster for our national security and our troops if it had been enacted.

I will support the conference agreement.

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